2025 Kinyara Golf Open (Amateurs – Gross):
- Men Winner: Joseph Cwinya-ai – 70, 71, 73 (214)
- Ladies Winner: Meron Kyomugisha – 77, 78, 79 (234)
- Professionals’ Winner: David Kamulindwa – 72, 66 (138)
“Kinyara Golf Club course is home away from home,” remarked Joseph Cwinya-ai in the post-victory interview after swinging to glory at the 27th Kinyara Golf Open in Masindi.
Cwinya-ai, the national team captain, recorded his 9th victory on the 2025 domestic calendar in a trophy-laden season.
Christened as ‘Okadda’ in the golfing circles, Cwinya-ai once again smiled to the podium, as champion during the red-letter year that he also emerged winner of the prestigious Uganda Amateur Open Championship at Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club, Lugazi.
Cwinya-ai’s earlier wins had come at the Toro home club in Fort Portal during the Mayombo open, Hima Toro open, the nearby Hima Kasese open, Captain’s Bell at Uganda Golf Club, Ladies Open (UGC), Entebbe Open and the president’s cup.
“It is down to consistency and setting targets for myself,” Cwinya-ai spoke of the magic behind all those victories.
Speaking of the magic, not black magic of course, Cwinya-ai played at the DP Tour Kenya Magical Open, one of the amateurs who competed with the finest golfers in the world.
He also captained Team Uganda to victory in the Victoria Cup against Kenya.
The recent success in Masindi is therefore a testament to the consistent attention and diligence he has.
Cwinya-ai carded 214 (+1) in 54 holes ahead of Abdullah Kakooza (222) and Juma Abiti (224).
The duo of Lawrence Walakira and Christopher Basaliza jointly shared fourth spot with 227 gross mark apiece.
The top cluster will share Shs 4,000,000 in cash prizes. Being part of the World Amateur Golf Ranking system, Cwinya-ai’s global ranking is expected to further improve.
For the amateurs (gross) category, Uganda national team captain Joseph Cwinya-ai and Meron Kyomugisha won in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
In the ladies’ gross category, long-hitting Meron Kyomugisha claimed the top honours with 234 (+21), beating Martha Babirye (241).
2024 lady champion Lillian Koowe came third with 242, whilst Joyce Kisembo (256) and Julia Joan Nampewo (262) completed the top five positions.
David Kamulindwa won the professional ranks to claim the biggest percentage of the Shs 10,000,000 kitty sponsored tourney over 36 holes played in two days.
Kamulindwa opened with a 1-over-72 gross mark during round one and bettered with a 5-under-66 for the subsequent round to amass a total of 138 (4-under).
Over 36 holes, Kamulindwa registered 9 birdies, 23 pars and 5 bogies. Seven of the birdies arrived during round two on holes 3, 6,7, 9, 13,16 and 18.
Kamulindwa added to the Watoto and Entebbe open earlier victories this year, which comes to a grand climax soon.
The tournament officially comes to a grand climax with action in the seniors and subsidiary golfers in action on Saturday, 15th November 2025.
There will be a grand party at the famous 19th hole with a colourful prize giving ceremony, dinner and entertainment thereafter.
